Pivot-lock for trap-jaws.



I H. G GREENE.

PIVOT LOCK FOR TRAPJAWS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. I916.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

ilNlTE %TA% PATENT @FlFlCE HOLDRIDGE G. GREENE, OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TRIUMPH TRAP CO. INC., OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PIVOT-LOCK FOR TRAP-JAWS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Application filed August 2, 1916. Serial No. 112,720.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HoLDnIncE G. GREENE, residing at Oneida, in the county of Madison and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pivot- Locks for Trap-Jaws, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for retaining the jaws of traps against possible accidental detachment from the base plate of the trap, and the object thereof is to provide a simple, efficient and practical retaining means for this purpose.

Other objects and aims of the invention. more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification, and in which I have shown a merely preferred form of embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the trap constructed in accordance with the provisions of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one end of the base plate showing the manner of connecting the jaws thereto; and

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the structure illustrated thcrein, the reference character L indicates the base plate, G the spring, and H the jaws, all of which parts are of customary arrangement. The usual bait plate 1 is'provided with suitable means for retaining the jaws in open position, as is customary.

It has been found in practice with the traps as heretofore constructed that upon certain occasions the jaws have become detached from the base plate so as to release an animal which may have been caught between the jaws. This may be brought about by any force tending either to bend the legs of the jaw toward each other, or by any force tending to bend the upturned ends 2 of the base plate outwardly away from the jaws, in either instance the result being one or more of the pivot lugs 3 of the jaws have been caused to move out of the apertures 4L of the base plate.

In order to positively provide against likelihood. of the pivot lugs ever moving out of engagement with the apertures l, tliis invention provides that suitable auxiliary retaining means shall be afforded for engaging between the aws and the upturned portion of the base plate. This means may take any desired form but it preferably includes a lug 5 formed upon the jaws having a bent end 6 thereon. Prior to the introduction of the lug 3 through the opening 4, the lug 5 is bent upwardly into position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. After the lug 3 has been inserted through the opening 4:, the lug 5 is bent downwardly to the position shown in full lines, in which the end 6 stands to engage the base plate whenever a tendency occurs to move the lug 3 out of engagement with the aperture 4.

It will, of course, be understood that a similar construction is employed upon each end of both of the jaws.

It will also be understood that this invention is not limited to use in connection with the precise type of trap illustrated in the drawings, but is equally applicable to other traps, or the like, in which pivotally mounted members are employed.

As many changes could be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an animal trap, comprising a plate having aws pivotally connected thereto in the usual manner by having pivot lugs thereon engaging through apertures formed in the base plate, and bendable means carried by said jaws independent of said pivot lugs and located adjacent thereto adapted to engage with said base plate to prevent accidental. detachment of said parts.

2. The combination with a member having a bearing aperture therethrough, and a second member having a pivot lug extending through said aperture, of a bendable lug formed upon said second member having a part which, when said lug is bent, is moved to a position adjacent the outer end of the pivot lug for preventing such accidental detachment.

3. In an animal trap, in combination, a base plate having a plurality of apertures jaws having pivot lugs which enter saic apertures, and bendable means formed upon one of said elements independent of said pivot lugs and located adjacent said apertures adapted to engage the other element to prevent the pivot lugs of said jaws from becoming disengaged from said apertures.

4. In an animal trap, comprising a plate provided with hearing apertures, jaws hav- 5 ing pivot lugs thereon extending through the apertures formed in said plate, and bendable projections formed upon said jaws adjacent said pivot lugs, and independent thereof, having downwardly extending parts adapted to engage said plate to prevent said pivot lugs from being detached therefrom.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HOLDRIDGE G. GREENE. Witnesses:

H. W. COLBY, A. E. KnvsLnY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing; the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

